“Is there even a difference?” you might wonder. The short answer is yes. The medium-length answer is yes, hemp is used for mostly industrial purposes, marijuana mostly for medical and recreational purposes. Leafscience.com gives us the long answer.

5 Differences Between Hemp and Marijuana

By The Stoner's Cookbook

While the words may be synonymous for recreational users, but there is a difference: hemp is mostly used for industrial & cannabis more for medical purposes. [LeafScience.com](http://www.leafscience.com/2014/09/16/5-differences-hemp-marijuana/) explains the differences.

Genetics

By The Stoner's Cookbook

Cannabis is one of the oldest domesticated crops; humans have bred the plants throughout generations for certain qualities. As a result, the gene pools have split into 2 subspecies of sativa & indica.

THC Content

By The Stoner's Cookbook

THC is the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis. Marijuana contains much more THC compared to hemp. Conversely, hemp contains more CBD, which counteracts the effects of THC.

Cultivation

By The Stoner's Cookbook

Since the plants have different purposes, cultivation methods also differ. Marijuana is grown in more controlled conditions to maximize flowering plants, while hemp is grown outdoors in favor of size.

Legal Status

By The Stoner's Cookbook

Both hemp & marijuana are banned in the US, being classified as Schedule 1 drugs. Outside of the States, however, over 30 countries grow hemp, often actually importing hemp into the USA.

Research

By The Stoner's Cookbook

Although US law groups both hemp & marijuana under the same categories, completely different types of research are done, in different lab environments to uncover new & better uses of each plant.